About Psoriasis
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Submerse into a world of natural recreation, skin-rejuvenation and psoriasis treatment without side effects!
Description
There is a genetic link and it tends to run in families. About 30% of people with one first degree relative with psoriasis develop the condition. This genetic tendency appears to need to be triggered by infection; certain medicines, including ibuprofen and lithium; psychological factors, including stress; or skin trauma.
Main symptom of psoriasis disease is grey or silvery flaky patches on the skin which are red and inflamed underneath. It can occur on any part of the body although it is most commonly found on the elbows, knees, lower back and the scalp. Regardless of type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort. The skin often itches, and it may crack and bleed.
There is a genetic link and it tends to run in families. About 30% of people with one first degree relative with psoriasis develop the condition. This genetic tendency appears to need to be triggered by infection; certain medicines, including ibuprofen and lithium; psychological factors, including stress; or skin trauma.
Main symptom of psoriasis disease is grey or silvery flaky patches on the skin which are red and inflamed underneath. It can occur on any part of the body although it is most commonly found on the elbows, knees, lower back and the scalp. Regardless of type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort. The skin often itches, and it may crack and bleed.
Causes & Symptoms
TThere is a genetic link and it tends to run in families. About 30% of people with one first degree relative with psoriasis develop the condition. This genetic tendency appears to need to be triggered by infection; certain medicines, including ibuprofen and lithium; psychological factors, including stress; or skin trauma.
Main symptom of psoriasis disease is grey or silvery flaky patches on the skin which are red and inflamed underneath. It can occur on any part of the body although it is most commonly found on the elbows, knees, lower back and the scalp. Regardless of type, psoriasis usually causes discomfort. The skin often itches, and it may crack and bleed.
Psoriasis types
Psoriasis is considered mild if it affects less than 5% of the surface of the body; moderate, if 5-30% of the skin is involved, and severe, if the disease affects more than 30% of the body surface.
Dermatologists distinguish different forms of psoriasis according to what part of the body is affected, how severe symptoms are, how long they last, and the pattern formed by the scales. However the most common form of the disease is Plaque psoriasis also known as Psoriasis vulgaris. It is characterized by raised, red patches or lesions covered with a silvery white build-up of dead skin cells, called scale.
Diagnosis & Prevention
A diagnosis of psoriasis is usually based on the appearance of the skin. There are no special blood tests or diagnostic procedures for psoriasis. Another sign of psoriasis is that when the plaques are scraped, one can see pinpoint bleeding from the skin below (Auspitz's sign).
Psoriasis is a chronic, meaning lifelong, condition due to the fact that there is currently no cure but various treatments can help ease patient's condition. People often experience flares and remissions throughout their life. Controlling the signs and symptoms typically requires lifelong therapy.
Conventional Treatment
Conventional treatment methods involve Topical treatment for the most light forms of psoriasis (usage of bath solutions and moisturizers, medicated creams and ointments), UV Phototherapy for the more persistent ones (exposure to ultraviolet lights, UVB rays as well as combination of Psoralen and ultraviolet A lights know as PUVA treatment or Photo-chemotherapy) and finally Systemic treatment for the most severe forms of psoriasis (including medications that are taken internally by pill or injection).
Conventional treatment methods however are also known for their disadvantages and accumulative side effects. Topical agents for example often irritate normal skin, can be time consuming and awkward to apply, can stain clothing or have a strong odour. UV treatment is associated with headache, fatigue, burning, and itching. Long-term treatment is associated with prematurely aging of the skin an increased risk of skin cancers. Systemic treatment medications on the other hand prove to be very expensive.
Alternative Treatment
Conventional medicine today is adjusting to some alternative approaches to psoriasis treatment such as acupuncture, herbal remedies, meditation, diets, etc. Alternative treatments are very often used together or in combination with conventional medicine.
Such a method is the Psoriasis fish treatment offered in the Balikli Thermal Spa Center, near the city of Kangal, Turkey where the 'doctor fish', which live in outdoor hot thermal pools, feeds on the dead skin of people affected by psoriasis. The fish only consume the affected areas of the skin. The outdoor location of the spa also has a beneficial effect. The combination of the selenium -rich mineral waters, the fish and mountain sunlight helps psoriasis sufferers to experience major improve of their skin. A treatment however should continue for at least 3 weeks so that it can have a complete positive effect on the patient. Treatment in this hot spring has been examined in two small clinical trials, with positive results.
